The season so far: Ecstatic Lahiri

Kuala Lumpur, August 6: India’s Anirban Lahiri could not have asked for a better way to win his first title outside of India.The 27-year-old won his fourth Asian Tour title in style when he sank a spectacular eagle putt on the last hole to win the US$750,000 CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters in near darkness.While Lahiri celebrated wildly, Baek Seuk-hyun of Korea could only stare up to the skies and lament another missed opportunity as he was defeated by Lahiri, who returned with a four-under-par 68.Australian rookie Cameron Smith shared second with Baek, one shot from the champion, but he could take solace in his best result on the Asian Tour since earning a Tour card at the Qualifying School earlier this year.Starting the day trailing by a single shot behind Smith, Lahiri went out quickly by firing three successive birdies starting from the second hole. He stumbled with a bogey-five on the fifth hole but recovered with another birdie on 12.However a double-bogey six on 13 after a lengthy three-hour rain delay saw the Indian ride out a tense finish as a host of marquee players from the Asian Tour were wrestling for the lead.“I had an awkward lie on 13. During the rain delay I was just thinking that I have to get up and down there. I got a bad break there but I know Lin Wen-tang dropped a shot as well. Unfortunately I got a double bogey there but I am glad I came back strong,” said Lahiri.With Baek holding the clubhouse lead at 16-under, Lahiri knew he had to produce a superlative effort on 18 to get the outright win, which he calmly did before wild celebrations ensued.“My mind was blank when I prepared for the last putt on 18. All I told myself was I had to get it into the hole. When I was walking up to the greens, I was actually thinking if I need to prepare for a Monday play-off,” said Lahiri.The Lahiri did not disappoint and screamed in delight when he watched his 20-feet eagle putt sink into the hole for a winning total of 17-under-par 271.“It’s really great to get my first win outside of India. I have missed out on it for a long time and I am so glad I managed to do it. I need the world ranking points so I am really happy I can win,” said Lahiri.Ends

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